DOTHERS'

QUE

London:

HODDER AND STOUGHTON,

27, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1871.

RIEND

44

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UNWIN BROTHERS, PRINTERS, LONDON AND CHILWORTH.

PREFACE

TO THE

THIRD VOLUME OF THE NEW AND ENLARGED SERIES.

HE preparation of the closing number of another year's volume of our Little Messenger reminds us that we must have a word to say to those who are our co-workers. During twelve months more we have been permitted to add our modicum of help to the large force of agencies employed for the benefit of our fellow-men, whether our labour has been successful or no, we must leave until the Day which revealeth secrets. When we find from the daily press how much of the crime amongst the young is to be traced to the circulation of periodicals of an evil tendency, surely it behoves us to do our uttermost to supplant these banes to our youth by scattering those which, while they interest, may also direct to the paths of religion and virtue. Although death and various other circumstances thin the list of those who have aided us by their writings, still it is put into the hearts of others to send us their help, and thus we are enabled to keep up the interest of our "little Friend;" and we take this public opportunity of thanking all our contributors, and asking them for a continuance of their kind assistance. We beg to thank those, too, who aid us by circulating our little work, and we would throw out a suggestion to some who have not enlisted in the cause, but who are seeking to be of some use. As a rule, we believe the poor, especially in country places, are not in the habit of ordering periodicals, and sometimes have no opportunity of doing so, although they are glad to pay for them if some person takes the trouble of procuring them. Could not some of our young friends undertake the work of distributing our little Magazine in this way, in districts where it is comparatively or altogether unknown? By this means our circulation might be largely increased with the New Year, and we should have still more incentives to zeal and energy in our work.

December, 1871.